He moved round to his place at the breakfast-table. "You're not wanting to go back then?"
She hesitated.
"What is it?" he said. "Money? I can let you have some if you're short of it."
She flushed. "No, Jake, no! I think--I think I'll stay here for the present. I will make him understand."
"Please yourself!" said Jake, and opened the morning paper.
A faint sense of disappointment went through her. She had fancied her decision would have evoked approval if not open pleasure from him. She poured out his coffee in silence.
As she brought it to him, he glanced up at her. "Don't stay on my account if you feel you'd sooner go!" he said. "I get along very well alone."
She stiffened ever so slightly. "Thank you," she said. "I'll think about it."
Jake fell to work upon his breakfast with his usual business-like rapidity. She did not attempt to keep pace with him. Somehow the idea that he really wished her to go had robbed her of all desire to eat.
After a time he glanced across at her again. "Are you going down to see your mother?"